Improvement in steam cooking devices



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

'AUGUSTUS F. BOOK, OF. BATTLE CREEK, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR 0F ONE- HALF HISRIGHT TO CHARLES F.. BOCK AND CHARLES PETERS, OF

SAME PLACE.

IMPROVEMENT IN STEAM COOKING DEVICES.

` Specification forming partl of Letters Patent No. 194,288, datedAugust 21, 1877; application kfiled July 19, 1877.

To lall 'whom 'it may concern Be it known that I, AUGUSTUS F. BooK, ofBattle Creek, in the county of Calhoun and State of Michigan, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Steam Cooking Device;and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exactdescription thereof, which will enable others skilled in the art towhich it pertains to make and use the same, reference being had to theaccompanying drawing, and to the letters of reference marked thereon,which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to improvements in 4steam cooking devices, thenature of which will be hereinafter fully set forth and explained,reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l isa vertical longitudinal section; and Fig. 2 a horizontal section on theline a; w, Fig. 1.

A is the steamer, which is composed of the upper casing A1 and thedetachable boiler A2. rIhe casing Al is constructed with one or morecompartments, B, having one side open, so that suitable pans, drawers,or other vessels for holding the articles to becooked, may be slippedtherein. The bottom or base plate a is extended to the rear of the backplate a, as shown at a?, and is perforated with a series of holes orports, a3, for the passage of the steamfrom the boiler A2 into the steamflue. On the under side of the bottom plate a is formed a flange orprojection, a, adapted to fit snugly within the rim of the boiler A2,and it is so formed that itwll make a steady rest for the casing whenthe latter is removed from the boiler and set on a table, and it holdsthe casing and boiler rmly united when placed together. Y

C is the steamuc, resting on the extension a2,'and covers the ports c3.It extends upward and slightly above the top plate, and is securelyfastened to the back plate al of the casing, and its upper end isprovided with a small exhaust-port, o, which is closed, or partiallyclosed, as desired, by a cap, c'.

d are ports made through the back plate a1, forming communicationbetween the tlue C and the compartments B. They may be made in a seriesof holes, as shown, or there may be but a single port. Whether there bea series of holes, as shown, or a single port, we construct them so asto extend nearly the width of the compartment, for the purpose ofsecuring a more even and rapid distribution of the steam over thesurface ot' the food. Each compartment has its own port or ports.

e are hinged valves placed in the flue C and arranged to close the portsd. Each valve is held down by a spring, el, and is provided with an armor rod, e2, which Apasses through the port d into the compartment B,and" is bent so that it will be caught by the rear end of the drawer D,when the latter is pushed into the compartment, as shown atf f1", Fig.l. The valve e is so formed and hinged to the back plate al that it maybe opened so as to extend across and partially close the ue C, as shownatf2, Fig. l, and thus form a deflector for turning the steam into thecompartment. Each compartment is provided with a deilector, g, which isin the rear end thereof, and above and across the length occupied by theport or ports d. The steam, when it enters the compartment B, is turneddownward by this deiiector, and is thrown directly onto the food in therear end of said compartment.'

In devices of ordinary construction the food in the rear end next thesteam-line is often not cooked as soon as that in the outer end of thedrawer, because the steam passes over the food and spends itself firstat the outerend. In my device the steam is given the downward course, asdescribed, and distributes itself equally and uniformly over Y theentire surface of the food, so that the entire body of the latter iscooked at the same time.

A much more satisfactory result is obtained by this invention than byany of the ordinary devices of its class.

In the drawings, the deiiector g isV shown ixed rigidly in its position.Ordinarily I prefer to make it thus. But it will be readily understoodthat it may be hinged in its position and provided with a `suitable rodwhich will extend to the outer side of' the casing, and by which it maybe turned and set at any desired angle, asI the, necessities of theoperation of cooking mayl require.

A2 is the boiler, which is made separate from the casing A1, so that thelatter may be removed for any desired purpose without having to lift theboiler with itscontents from the stove. vent h', for purposes of pouringwater iny or out. It is constructed so as to tit snugly outside of theiange a4 and hold the casing firmly in position. It is provided with therequisite handles i.

When draws B are employed tohold the food, the valves are opened bypushing said drawers into the, compartments,v asI indicated atffl,Fig. 1. When other Vessels than the drawers are used, the valvesarefopened by a small rod or stick placed against a hooked rod, e2,v andbracedv against the frontside. of the compartment. When all pressure isremoved from the rod e2 the valve will close the ports d, as shown atf,Fig. 1, and in Fig. 2.

The, supply otl steam is regulated b y the valves e and by the cap c onport o. The casingA1 is provided with suitable handles a5, indicated indotted lines, Fig. 1 by which it is lifted and carried.

It will be seen that I 4have a very couven- I't isl provided with aspout, h, and

isnt and efficient device, one.4 free.y from the many objections whichare found to. the devi'ces of its class of ordinary construction.

Having described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure byLetters Patent, 1s-

1. The combination, with the ue 'C and steam-portsdlead-ing into thecooking-compartment of' a culinary steamer, of the valve e, constructedwith an'arm or rod', e2, passing through the port d into thecooking-chamber,

and spring, el,r arranged and operating substantially as and for thepurpose set forth.

- v2. The improved culinary steamer, consisting of the casing A1,constructed with, one 0r more cooking -compartments, B, flange a4, andsteam -ports d, deectors g, hinged valves e, constructed with a rod orarm, e2, flue C, with induction-ports a3 and eduction-port 0` and. (1.6-

ltachable boiler-At1`rnged and operating l substantially as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I affix my signaturein presence of two witnesses.

AUGUSTUS F. BOOK. Witnesses:

TOLMAN W. HALL, GHARLEs M. RASH.

